Torres Is. Banks Is. Maewo. Santo Ambae. Pentecost. Malekula

Transcription

1 Alex François LACITO-CNRS, CNRS, Paris Verbal aspect and personal pronouns The history of aorist markers in north Vanuatu 5 July 2007 COOL7, Nouméa

2 Torres Is. Banks Is. Santo Ambae Maewo Pentecost Malekula Efate Tanna

3 Hiw The languages g of North Vanuatu Lo- Toga Lehali Löyöp Volow Lemerig Mwotlap Veraa Mwesen Mota Vurës Nume Lakon Olrat Koro Dorig Mwerlap

4 The personal pronouns of Mwotlap The subject and object clitics of POc have been replaced in Mwotlap with a unique set of free pronouns: SING DUAL TRIAL PLUR 1 incl dʊjʊ dɪtɪl ɣɪn 1excl nɔ kamjʊ kamtɪl kɛmɛm 2 nɪk kʊmjʊ kɪmtɪl kimi 3 kɪ kʊjʊ kɪjtɪl kɪj These pronouns are generally invariant: (1) nɔ nɔ m-ɛtsas kɪ, kɪ m-ɛtsas nɔ. 1sg PRF-see 3sg 3sg PRF-see 1sg I saw her and she saw me. 4

5 A special form for the 1sg pronoun The 1sg subject pronoun has two forms: nɔ vs depending on the predicate s TAM marking. nɔk encodes one TAM category, called the Aorist nɔk [*nɔ ] ŋ mʷʊl. (4) nɔk 1sg:AO Iwentback. Iwentback. return 3sg subjects encode the Aorist with a prefix ni-: (4 ) kɪ 3sg ni- ŋ mʷʊl. AO:3sg- return He went back. and other persons with zero: kʊjʊ (Ø-) ŋ mʷʊl. (4 ) kʊjʊ 3du AO-) (AO return They went back. vs nɔk, nɔk = 1sg:AO ni- = AO:3sg 5

6 Semantic definition of Mwotlap's Aorist The Aorist of Mwotlap has a wide polysemy y / polyfunctionality. y y Five major functions (see François 2003) Sequential Generic Subjunctive Optative actions in sequence, typically in narratives definitions, procedure descriptions, conditional required in modality-bound subordinate clauses optative; volitional modality; imperative Imperfective with reduplicated d verb: : habitual; progressive The Aorist construes a new event which is deictically indeterminate with regard to tense and modality. Could be called Indefinite, Minimal, Dependent or Zero aspect This complex aspect category matches narrowly several cases of aorist described for other languages of the world (Wolof; Hausa; Berber; Coptic; Turkish; Anejom ) "Aorist" originally means 'indefinite' Aspect studies in Benveniste (1966); Culioli (1978); Robert (1996) 6

7 Hiw Can surrounding languages help understand the unusual morphology of Mwotlap's aorist? Lo- Toga Lehali Löyöp Volow Lemerig Mwotlap (nɔk) Ø ni- Ø Veraa Mota Mwesen Vurës Nume Lakon Aorist markers in North Vanuatu Olrat Koro Dorig Mwerlap

8 Hiw Lo- Toga Lehali Löyöp Volow Lemerig (nɔk) Ø ni- Ø Veraa Mwesen Mota Vurës Lakon Nume 6 South Banks languages Aorist markers in North Vanuatu Olrat Koro Dorig Mwerlap

9 The Quest for the Aorist The six South Banks languages They possess no single TAM category that encompasses the five basic functions of Mwotlap's Aorist. MRL NUM DRG KRO OLR LKN Sequential Generic? Subjunctive Optative Imperfective 9

10 The Quest for the Aorist The six South Banks languages They possess no single TAM category that encompasses the five basic functions of Mwotlap's Aorist. The equivalent morphemes resemble neither nɔk nor ni-. MRL NUM DRG KRO OLR LKN Sequential ti tɔβ sɔ Ø tɪ? Generic Subjunctive βɛ s- tɛ β- s- (ɣ)a Optative s- (ɣ)a Imperfective tɛ ti t- ti t- ti tɪ- ti tɪ- tɔ 10

11 Hiw The 11 northernmost languages possess a genuine Aorist Lo- Toga Lehali Löyöp Volow Lemerig (nɔk) Ø ni- Ø Veraa Mwesen Mota Vurës Aorist markers in North Vanuatu 11

12 The Quest for the Aorist The eleven northernmost languages Each language possesses a single TAM category that essentially encompasses the five basic functions of Mwotlap's Aorist. The formal coding of the Aorist varies with the person of the subject HIW LTG LYP LHI MTP VLW LMG VRA VRS MSN MTA Sequential Generic Subjunctive Optative Imperfective 12

13 The Quest for the Aorist The eleven northernmost languages Each language possesses a single TAM category that essentially encompasses the five basic functions of Mwotlap's Aorist. The formal coding of the Aorist varies with the person of the subject Forms for 3sg: 3sg HIW LTG LYP LHI MTP VLW LMG VRA VRS MSN MTA Sequential Generic Subjunctive nə ni n- n- ni- n- n- nɛ ni ni ni Optative Imperfective 13

14 Hiw Lo- Toga Lehali Löyöp Volow Lemerig (nɔk) Ø ni- Ø Veraa Vurës Mota Mwesen 3 Central Banks languages Aorist markers in North Vanuatu 14

15 The Quest for the Aorist The three Central Banks languages Aorist encoded by a set of clitics 1sg 2sg 3sg non-singular let me see you see let him see let us see Mota Mwesen na na ɪl nɪk a ɪl nɪ ni ɪl nina a ilo nin a ɪl Vurës nɪk i ɪl nɪ ni ɪl nɪn a ɪl 15

16 The Quest for the Aorist The three Central Banks languages Aorist encoded by a set of clitics or pronoun variation 1sg 2sg 3sg non-singular let me see you see let him see let us see Mota Mwesen Vurës (nau) na ilo (ko) ka ilo (ni) ni ilo na na ɪl nɪk a ɪl nɪ ni ɪl (nɔ) na ɪl nɪk i ɪl nɪ ni ɪl nina a ilo nin a ɪl nɪn a ɪl non-sg: a vowel a where Mwotlap had Ø. 3sg: 2sg: 1sg: ni AO:3sg. a single vowel: i ; or a < spread of non-sg sg. MTA ka < ko+a. alternation between pronoun nɔ (or nau) ) and Aorist na MTA/VRS na < nau/nɔnɔ + a. 16

17 The Quest for the Aorist The three Central Banks languages Aorist encoded by a set of clitics or pronoun variation 1sg 2sg 3sg non-singular Mota (na) (ka) ni Mwesen (na) a ni Vurës (na) i ni a a a Extension of non-singular /a/ / to some singular forms The language with most formal diversity is Vurës. 17

18 Hiw Lo- Toga Lehali Löyöp Volow Lemerig (nɔk) Ø ni- Ø Veraa na i ni a na a ni a na ka ni a Aorist markers in North Vanuatu 18

19 The Quest for the Aorist Volow Extinct dialect of Mwotlap (1 passive speaker) 1sg pronoun alternation nɛ/nɛŋ nɛŋ, *[ᵑg pointing to a prenasalised stop *[ ᵑg]. Too parallel to Mwotlap to be really helpful. Mwotlap 1sg 2sg 3sg non-singular let me see you see let him see let us see (nɔ) nɔk ɛt nɪk (Ø-) ɛt kɪ ni-ɛt ɣɪn (Ø-) ɛt Volow (nɛ) nɛŋ ɛt nɪŋ (Ø-) ɛt gɪ n-ɛt ɣɪn (Ø) (Ø-) ɛt 19

20 Hiw 4 Lo- Toga Lehali Northwest Banks languages Löyöp (nɛŋ) Ø n- Ø Lemerig Veraa na i ni a (nɔk) Ø ni- Ø na a ni a na ka ni a Aorist markers in North Vanuatu 20

21 The Quest for the Aorist The four Northwest Banks languages 1sg Aorist includes /k// as in Mwotlap nɔk, but this /k// is a prefix to the verb. obvious when pronoun and verb are separated: Mwotlap Vera'a a nɔk sɔ βan nɔ sɔ k- βan 1sg:AO PROSP go I want to go. 1sg PROSP AO:1sg-go I want to go. The same surface form [nɔkβan]] let me go will be parsed /nɔk βan/ / in Mwotlap, but /nɔ k-βan/ / in Vera'a. 21

22 The Quest for the Aorist The four Northwest Banks languages Set of Aorist prefixes: k- 1sg ; 1sg ; n(v) (V)- 3sg ; (Ø-) elsewhere Löyöp Lehali Lemerig 1sg 2sg 3sg non-singular let me see you see let him see let us see nø k-ɛt niŋ (Ø-) ɛt kɛ n-ɛt jɛn (Ø-) ɛt nɔ k-ɛt nek (Ø-) ɛt kɛ n-ɛt ɣen (Ø-) ɛt nɔ k-ʔɛt næk (Ø-) ʔɛt ti n-ʔɛt ɣæt (Ø-) ʔɛt Vera'a nɔ k-ʔɪn nikɪ (Ø-) ʔɪn di nɛ-ʔɪn ɣidɪ k-ʔɪn 22

23 The Quest for the Aorist The four Northwest Banks languages Set of Aorist prefixes: k- 1sg ; 1sg ; n(v) (V)- 3sg ; (Ø-) elsewhere Löyöp Lehali Lemerig 1sg 2sg 3sg non-singular let me see you see let him see let us see nø k-ɛt niŋ (Ø-) ɛt kɛ n-ɛt jɛn (Ø-) ɛt nɔ k-ɛt nek (Ø-) ɛt kɛ n-ɛt ɣen (Ø-) ɛt nɔ k-ʔɛt næk (Ø-) ʔɛt ti n-ʔɛt ɣæt (Ø-) ʔɛt Vera'a nɔ k-ʔɪn nikɪ (Ø-) ʔɪn di nɛ-ʔɪn ɣidɪ k-ʔɪn Mwotlap Volow nɔk nɛŋ ɛt nɪk (Ø-) ɛt kɪ ni-ɛt ɣɪn (Ø-) ɛt ɛt nɪŋ (Ø-) ɛt gɪ n-ɛt ɣɪn (Ø-) ɛt lh h nɔk < reanalysis of nɔ 1sg + *k- AO Historical lh hypothesis: h nɔk 1 *k AO:1sg 23

24 Hiw 2 Torres languages Lo- Toga k- Ø n- Ø k- Ø n- Ø k- Ø n- Ø k- Ø nɛ k- na i ni a (nɛŋ) Ø n- Ø (nɔk) Ø ni- Ø na ka ni a na a ni a Aorist markers in North Vanuatu 24

25 The Quest for the Aorist The two Torres languages Hiw Lo-Toga free pr. Aor. clitic free pr. Aor. clitic 1sg nɔkə kə nɛkə kə 2sg 3sg 1in:du 1ex:du 2du 3du 1in:pl 1ex:pl 2pl 3pl ikə ninə tɵᶢʟɵ wɵt nə nikə niə ṭor kamaᶢʟə kəmɔr ᶢʟə kimiᶢʟə i kəmor sɵᶢʟɵ titə tə hor ɣiṭə kama kəmɛm kimi kəmi sisə sə nihə wə ni or ɣə 25

26 kə wɵt nə A proto-system can be reconstructed for the ancestor of these languages (PNCV, or one of its branches) Set of four Aorist clitics kə wə ni ɣə k- Ø n- Ø k- Ø n- Ø (nɛŋ) Ø n- Ø k- Ø n- Ø (nɔk) Ø ni- Ø k- Ø nɛ k- na ka ni a na i ni a na a ni a Aorist markers in North Vanuatu 26

27 Non-singular Aorist: *a *(k)a ɣə Ø Ø Ø Ø Ø k- a a a Aorist markers in North Vanuatu (ɣ)a (ɣ)a 27

28 nə 3 sg Aorist: *ni ni n- n- n- n- ni- nɛ ni ni ni Aorist markers in North Vanuatu 28

29 wɵt 2 sg Aorist: *(w)u? *u? wə Ø Ø Ø Ø Ø i a Ø a Aorist markers in North Vanuatu 29

30 kə 1 sg Aorist: *gv = *gu? kə k- k- (nɛŋ) k- (nɔk) k- na na na Aorist markers in North Vanuatu Tamabo ku 1sg 30

31 Reconstructing the protosystem St Set of ff four clitics combining i aspect and person: *gu *u *ni *(k)a *nau gu = βano gu = maturu. 1sg AO:1sg go AO:1sg sleep I went to sleep. / Let me go to sleep! *nigo u = βano u = maturu. 2sg AO:2sg go AO:2sg sleep You went to sleep. / G Go to sleep! *nia ni = βano ni = maturu. 3sg AO:3sg go AO:3sg sleep He went to sleep. / Let him go to sleep! *kida (k)a = βano (k)a= maturu. 1inc:pl AO:pl go AO:pl sleep We went to sleep. / Let's go to sleep! 31

32 Reconstructing the protosystem These clitics underwent normal sound change (esp. vowel reduction) *nau protosystem > Lemerig gu= *nigo u= *nia ni= βano. βano. βano. *kida (k)a= βano. nœ k- βan. næk ti ɣæt βan. n- βan. βan. Specific morphological changes Mtp + Vlw: Reanalysis of *nau gu > nɔk / nɛŋ. Torres lgs: nɔkə (<*nau gu) ) was generalised to all 1sg functions. Same process of reanalysis for several pronouns. Central Banks: Extension of *(k)a to singular persons (> a; ka; na) Vera'a: Extension of 1sg k- (<* <*gu) to all persons Vurës: This may be a key to a non-etymological /k/ /found in 3 pronouns: dʊrʊk, kʊmʊrʊk and kɛmɛk (?)

33 Conclusion Proto-system of ff four Aorist clitics i Set of four clitics {*gu *u *ni *(k)a} Tense-aspect aspect-mood category used typically in generic, sequential, optative and dependent clauses. To which proto-language should this system be assigned? Proto North Central Vanuatu? one of its branches? What could be its ultimate historical origin? Morphology: Semantics: Recalls one of the 2 sets of POc Subject clitics {*ku *mu *ña } + *ka[i] 1exc:pl Genitive / Ergative markers at least for PMP. (??) Subject clitics restricted to dependent clauses > grammaticalised into aorist markers This is a starting point for further research, and for future discussions

34 Conclusion Thanks for your attention.